Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Christian McCaffrey

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Christian McCaffrey outscored Aaron Jones by 12.8 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Christian McCaffrey is the clear pick. Aaron Jones profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBMinnesota Vikings#34

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER

Christian McCaffrey

PPG

21.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,202

Rush TDs

Rec

102

Rec Yds

924

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Christian McCaffrey

Head to Head

8.7 PPG21.5 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Christian McCaffrey at 98%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Christian McCaffrey: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) averaged 21.5 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings, 8.7 PPG) by 12.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 12.8-point weekly advantage for Christian McCaffrey is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Christian McCaffrey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 102 targets into 924 yards, while Aaron Jones profiles as a more traditional rusher with 548 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Christian McCaffrey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Aaron Jones is off Week 6 and Christian McCaffrey Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Christian McCaffrey is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Aaron Jones is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Christian McCaffrey (age 29, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Christian McCaffrey outscored Aaron Jones by a projected 218 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Christian McCaffrey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Christian McCaffrey scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Christian McCaffrey caught 102 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatJonesMcCaffrey

PPG (Half-PPR)8.721.5

Games Played1217

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)104366

Rushing Yards5481,202

Rush Yds/Game45.770.7

Rushing TDs210

Receptions28102

Receiving Yards199924

Targets41129

Total TDs317

Age3129

Experience8 yrs8 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 6Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Christian McCaffrey at 21.5 PPG, 12.8 points per game above Aaron Jones's 8.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Christian McCaffrey in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Aaron Jones's 8.7 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Aaron Jones and Christian McCaffrey average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 12.8 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Christian McCaffrey's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Christian McCaffrey a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey outscored Aaron Jones by 12.8 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.